They're the two players Rangers fans felt they needed to make turn their title hopes into a real challenge.

Jermain Defoe coming in to ease the burden on star man Alfredo Morelos, and Steven Davis adding some top class ability and experience to a midfield which could be viewed as industrious rather than inventive.

Both players played just 45 minutes of Rangers’ friendly win over HJK Helsinki at Ibrox on Sunday, and would have been delighted to get some much-needed game time.

That half of football is already more than double than Defoe has played all season for Bournemouth.

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But how did they both get on? Record Sport Online take a closer look at the duo as they made their first appearances.

Jermain Defoe

There were two things that stood out from Defoe's performance at Ibrox. Firstly, he's still got all the class he needs to be a success in Glasgow. Secondly, and slightly worryingly for Rangers supporters, it might take him a while to get up to speed and on form for Steven Gerrard's side.

Former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat said Defoe needed a strike partner while he was his manager at Sunderland a few years ago and that was obvious during his time on the pitch. His movement in and around the penalty area was fascinating to watch but there wasn't much work done outside of that.

With Morelos alongside him, he did much of the dirty work while still creating opportunities and it could be argued that it takes away from his own game.

Jermain Defoe in action for Rangers (Image: SNS Group)

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But the pair linked up well together and there was some nice touches from Defoe. The two up front meant Ryan Kent was deployed in the No.10 position and the trio were combining well when Rangers got the ball forward.

There were two opportunities for goals that fell Defoe's way and if you're a glass half full sort then you're likely to say at least he got into the right positions. But if you're a pessimistic person then you'll be concerned that two great chances fell to him and he couldn't finish either. In the end, one of those was flagged offside but the second was a poor miss when the goal was gaping.

The game as a whole was lacklustre and had a very friendly feel to it with players not really getting stuck in. Still, the early signs were promising for Defoe in a Rangers shirt.

Steven Davis

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Similarly to Defoe, you could see a bit of rustiness in his game but straight from the off there were positive signs that Davis will be a help to Rangers.

Playing on the left of a narrow diamond beside Scott Arfield with Ryan Jack behind and Kent in front, Davis' range of passing was there for all to see. He helped create a half chance in the opening stages with a cross field pass to pick out James Tavernier who then crossed into the box. That didn't come to anything but there has been times this season when the likes of Lassana Coulibaly, Ovie Ejaria and Jack would have needed to take three or four passes across the midfield before it was sent to Tavernier down the right. Davis, though, pulled it off in one with an inch-perfect switch of play.

As already mentioned, there was a lack of guile in Rangers midfield this season and it meant Gerrard's side found it difficult to beat the 'low-block' that teams often play at Ibrox.

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But Davis adds a bit of experience and cutting edge and he linked up well with the front three as well as the attacking runs of Andy Halliday from left back.

With Borna Barisic likely to be first choice left back, particularly if Gerrard sticks with a diamond formation, then the partnership between Davis and the Croatian defender will be an interesting watch.

The 34-year-old was also willing to have a pop at goal from distance and although none of his opportunities really caused any problems, it made a big change for Rangers to be trying from distance.

Arfield has been a regular goal scorer this season but the majority of his have been from late runs into the box. Davis now offers a goal threat from a deeper position with his ability to strike a ball when teams are sitting deep.

The verdict

Overall, it would be grossly unfair to judge the pair on 45 minutes against Helsinki in a mid-season friendly, but the signs are positive for Gerrard that his two new signings will play a big part in the second half of the season.